The elders; men and women numbering over 50 staged peaceful protest to the Nkwagu military cantonment and demanded the release of the youths.
The people of Idoma, Oso Edda in Afikpo Local Government Area and Ndukwe, Amasiri have been at war over land matters with lives lost and properties destroyed.
The elders of Ndukwe demanded the release of one Lawrenece Ikpe and Onwuamaeze Uche , who were allegedly arrested by suspected soldiers during a security meeting held in Afikpo over the crisis.
Onwuamaeze Uche and Lawrence Ikpe are Ndukwe Youth Leader and Chairman Uke Ndukwe Traditional Ruling Council respectively.
At the Nkwegu Military Cantonement, aged women were seen sprawling , rolling, sitting on the ground, begging for the release of their sons.
It was gathered that their arrest followed the crisis between Amasiri and the people of Edda in Edda local government area during which five persons were allegedly kidnapped and killed when they went to clear grasses at one of the primary schools in preparation for resumption penultimate week.
One of the protesters, Simon Eze Idam, told journalists that they were at the cantonment to demand unconditional release of their sons, since according to him they have not committed any offence to warrant arrest.
"We the elders of Ndukwe autonomous community from Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi State are here today in Nkwegu military cantonment to appeal for release of our sons; Lawrence Ikpe and Onwuameze Caleb Uche arrested on the 10th of March 2025.
"The youths went to clear grasses at Akante Ndukwe primary school in preparation for our children school reopening when they were attacked by Edda people. Five of them were kidnapped. As if that was not enough, when the council chairman called for peace meeting two of our youths were arrested at the meeting venue by men of the Nigerian Army.
"Since that day, we have been sending delegates to come and meet the Army Commandant on moves to release the arrested youth leaders, but all to no avail . That is why we the elders both men and women are here to see the Commandant ourselves.
"Unfortunately,the Commandant is not on seat. We were told he accompanied the state Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and other stakeholders to Effium community were land demarcation is expected to take place today as a measure to stop the crisis they have there.
"We appeal for release of our sons, that's all', he said.
